THE VALUE OF A SECOND TRANSURETHRAL RESECTION IN EVALUATING PATIENTS WITH BLADDER TUMORS

Abstract

Purpose The role of a routine second transurethral resection in evaluating and managing bladder tumors is defined. Materials and Methods From January to October 1998, 150 patients with new or recurrent bladder tumors underwent repeat transurethral resection within 2 to 6 weeks after the initial resection, and the results, including the presence of residual tumor and tumor stage, were compared. Results Of the 150 cases 36 (24%) had no and 114 (76%) had residual tumor on repeat transurethral resection. Of 96 cases with superficial (Ta, Tis, T1) bladder tumors 72 (75%) had residual noninvasive tumor and 28 (29%) were up staged to invasive tumor. Among 54 patients with a muscle invasive tumor 12 (22%) had no residual tumor on repeat transurethral resection. Results of the second resection changed tumor treatment in 50 patients (33%). Conclusions Many patients with bladder tumors have tumor present after an initial transurethral resection. Routine repeat resection is advised to control noninvasive tumors and to detect residual tumor invasion.